The GÉANT2 Network
What?
GÉANT2 is a multi-gigabit research and education network. It provides state-of-the-art data communications to the European research and education community. GÉANT2 provides the most advanced services and widest geographical reach of any network of its kind in the world, with leading-edge standards of reliability and innovation.
Where and Who?
GÉANT2 connects 30 European national research and education networks (NRENs) across 34 countries. NRENs connect research and educational institutions within their respective countries, providing GÉANT2 connectivity to more than 30 million research and education end users in over 3,500 institutions across Europe.
When?
The initial topology of the new network was announced at the project's official launch on 14-15 June 2005. The first links of the network came into service in Q4 2005. The network will operate until September 2008.
Why?
Research networks are an essential part of many research and education activities. These networks provide the data communications connectivity needed to allow researchers and academics to collaborate together in their work.
The pan-European backbone approach has been definitively proven by GÉANT2’s predecessor networks, and can offer, amongst other benefits:
- Maximum efficiency in the centralisation of network management
- A high concentration of networking expertise in support of European research and education
- Easy access for users in other regions and countries around the world to resources and equipment which would otherwise be out of reach.
How?
Research and education networking in Europe is organised in a hierarchical fashion. GÉANT2 provides the pan-European backbone to interconnect Europe’s national research and education networks. Together, GÉANT2 and the NRENs provide advanced communications services to Europe’s research and education community.
The network architecture is evolving to a more flexible structure based on a combination of routed IP and switched components. The objective is to create a hybrid infrastructure that meets the needs of different types of user with the most appropriate technology.
This section of the website provides information on the technological approach of the GÉANT2 network, including:
- A summary of general principles that have been employed in planning the topology, including downloadable maps of the current GÉANT2 topology
- An outline of the commercial aspects of network procurement
- Principles that have guided the migration from GÉANT to GÉANT2 and topology design for the new network
- A summary of the approach to implementing international connectivity
- An overview of network operations.
